New changes for UK pharmaceutical regulation

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officers from England, Scotland and Wales came together today to reveal plans for historic changes to the regulation of the pharmacy profession.

The measures, which form part of the Government White Paper on professional regulation, will see the formation of two separate bodies to oversee pharmacy. One organisation would act as a regulator and a second would be responsible for leading the profession.

It is envisaged that the two new bodies will take the form of a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC) to regulate the profession and a Royal College to provide leadership.

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, Dr Keith Ridge said "I truly believe this is a good deal for pharmacy. Pharmacy is changing and so professional leadership is vital. We envisage a GPC that takes regulation forward and a Royal College which is sustainable, underpins the science and practice of pharmacy, and commands the respect the profession deserves.

"This is about ambition, consolidation, and leadership. It will put pharmacy into the position it has earned and deserves. If we do not seize this opportunity, we will, in my view, have failed pharmacy and our profession at a vital time - consigning it to a wilderness isolated from other healthcare professions."

Chief Pharmaceutical Advisor for Wales, Carwen Wynne Howells said: "Pharmacy is a rapidly changing profession and, as greater responsibilities are placed on it, the public needs to be assured of excellence in its governance arrangements.

"Whilst the creation of a GPC will move the regulation of the profession forward, the establishment of a Royal College will promote excellence in clinical practice, innovation and leadership within the profession. A historic moment, certainly, but one which presents the profession with huge opportunities."

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Scotland, Professor Bill Scott said "The evolution of pharmacists from a product and technical based focus to one of clinical practitioner continues to gather pace. The most recent independent prescribing powers are a prime example of how the Government is ensuring pharmacists and pharmacy practice will be fit for the 21st century. It is therefore essential that the underpinning regulatory functions and professional leadership are also fit for the 21st century."

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Norman Morrow, who unfortunately could not be at the event, said:

"Good governance at both regulatory and professional development levels is at the heart of these proposals, and I believe they offer the profession considerable opportunity for advancement, given the importance of the pharmaceutical contribution to the provision of health care. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland are positively engaged in consideration of the future arrangements which will pertain in Northen Ireland."

This announcement comes as the safe and effective prescribing and dispensing of medicines becomes more complex and greater clinical responsibilities are placed upon the pharmacy profession. It is in accord with the Government commitment to ensure that healthcare professionals will be independently regulated.

Unusually, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB ) is both the regulator and the professional body responsible for leading the pharmacy profession. In addition, it has an important role in inspecting pharmacy premises and legislation will soon be in place to enable it to take on the role of regulating pharmacy technicians.

The new move will require the RPSGB to separate its regulatory system from its system of professional and clinical leadership, allowing each distinct function to focus solely on its core role.

Northern Ireland has its own professional body, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, and existing arrangements are broadly parallel to those in GB. The White Paper provides the opportunity for a more integrated approach across the UK and this is for Northern Ireland to consider.

The Department of Health in England will present proposals for legislating on professional regulation at the earliest opportunity, on behalf of all health administrations.

To help take this work forward a short-term working party will work collaboratively with the broader pharmacy profession, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland and other key stakeholders, on agreed proposals for implementation. (Members below).

The working party will be led by Lord Carter of Coles and includes the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its work will help inform future decisions about the regulation and leadership of pharmacy in Northern Ireland.

The working party will report to ministers with recommendations by the end of March 2007.